Adapted problem-solving program to boost PrEP use in pregnant women in Zimbabwe
Official title: Adaptation of a problem-solving intervention to address individual and provider level barriers to PrEP uptake and adherence in pregnancy in Zimbabwe
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11393021 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-level program is being adapted to help pregnant and postpartum women in Zimbabwe start and stick with PrEP to prevent HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 20, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $95,021 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH134698-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393021 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant or postpartum women in Zimbabwe who are at risk for HIV and eligible for PrEP, and healthcare providers in antenatal care clinics involved in PrEP delivery.
✕Less likely to help
Participants without HIV risk or not considering PrEP during pregnancy may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project tailors a proven problem-solving approach to address individual, partner, community, and provider barriers to PrEP uptake and adherence among pregnant and postpartum women in Zimbabwe. By combining culturally adapted adherence strategies with problem-solving therapy for depression, the study aims to create a feasible, multilevel intervention that fitsZimbabwean antenatal care settings. The goal is to increase PrEP initiation and persistence, reduce HIV risk, and improve maternal health outcomes through supportive care and provider engagement. The grant focuses on a development and pilot-testing phase to refine the intervention for future testing in larger trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could increase PrEP use and reduce HIV risk among pregnant and postpartum women in Zimbabwe, improving maternal and child health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary evidence from related adherence interventions suggests potential benefits when tailored to depression and adherence in similar populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'cleirigh, Conall Michael — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: O'cleirigh, Conall Michael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Healthy Families-PrEP: helping women in Uganda start and stay on PrEP during periconception, pregnancy, and postpartum
A program in Uganda helps periconception, pregnant, and postpartum women use PrEP safely to prevent HIV, with support sessions and monitoring.
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Adaptation of a problem-solving approach to boost PrEP use during pregnancy in Zimbabwe
A multi-level program is being adapted to help pregnant and postpartum women in Zimbabwe start and stick with HIV PrEP, with support from providers and communities.
-
Healthy Families-PrEP: helping pregnant and new mothers in Uganda stay HIV-free
A family-focused program in Uganda tests an approach to help women who are planning pregnancy or are pregnant or postpartum use PrEP to prevent HIV infection.
-
Pregnancy safety and infant outcomes with long-acting PrEP agents (CAB-LA and LEN) for HIV prevention
This study follows pregnant and breastfeeding women using long-acting PrEP drugs to understand safety for moms and babies when these medicines are taken during pregnancy and after birth.
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PrEP in Pregnancy and Postpartum Data Hub
A patient-friendly data-sharing project that brings together information from many pregnancy and postpartum PrEP studies to better understand HIV prevention for mothers and their babies.
-
Using text messages to help pregnant women stay on HIV prevention medication
This study is looking to help pregnant and new moms in areas with high rates of HIV remember to take their prevention medication by sending them supportive text messages, making it easier for them to stay healthy.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.